Page 70 of Rook of Ruin
“I love you, Alec.”
I feel overwhelming pain, the venomous poison pumping through my heart, and tears fall softly as I leave the only man I’ve ever loved.
Abreath. Air rushes into my lungs, and my eyes rip open. Simon is standing at the foot of the bed, watching. Relief crosses his face as I gulp in air and glance down. My hands are still covered with green-black veins. Vetter leans over me, and a Grey Sister stands next to him. My eyes close as roaring pain pulls me back under.
Adrenaline spikes within me, and my eyes burst open again. Everyone but the man I want is crowding me. I search the room, then I see him. Alec is slumped over, his head in his arms, looking entirely too defeated.
“She’s alive,” Vetter says to Simon.
Alec jumps up, and I watch, horrified, as Finn knocks Alec’s feet out from under him. He falls down to the floor, and Finn grabs a fistful of his hair, pulling his head back, a daggerpressing into his throat. My hand reaches but doesn’t lift above the blanket.
“If you want to do this, we have to do it now,” Vetter grinds out.
Simon is holding Alec’s brace, and he looks between us, then to Vetter. “Do it.” Simon comes to my side and gently holds my hand. “I’m sorry. He’s going to get you killed.”
“No,” I whisper, watching Finn push the blade further into Alec’s neck. “You”—I heave a breath that stings like a blade is stabbing my own throat—“promised.” Silver eyes on mine.
“Sorry, love. This isn’t about him—this is about you. I choose you over him,” Finn says sympathetically.
“I won’t heal her until you submit.” Vetter bends down to Alec, but his silver eyes never leave mine “Youknowme. I proved to you she was alive, and I will heal her when you stop fighting. Don’t make her suffer any more than she already has. Your memories or her.”
If looks could kill, everyone in this room would be dead a thousand times over. “You will not kill her.” Alec’s eyes flick to Simon.
“No.” Simon seems surprised and sick at the accusation. “I wouldnever. But Vetter can keep her in a stasis until you let go. No more fighting, Rook. Do you want her like this?” His arm sweeps out. “Imagine the pain she is in, imagine that for years. I don’t fucking want it,” he spits out. “I don’t want her in pain. I fucking care for her, but you are going to get her killed.” Simon gazes down at me and then back to Alec. “A fucking life debt? Really? What if that hadn’t been Finn but someone else?” Simon sneers. Silver eyes falter.Fight for me.Vetter’s wrist flicks, and searing pain threatens to pull me under again.
“Youleft her,” Alec snarls. The blade slices into him, blood dripping down his neck.
“I did. So she could fuckinglive,” Simon yells, looking down at me, and I watch as he clenches his fists. Alec scoffs, but Simon will have none of it. “I want her to live a long and happy life. I would face a whole fucking army if it would save her.” The conviction in his voice is heart wrenching. “You would have fought back, and they would have hurt her more. What’s one more arrow, one more claw, one more dagger in her body if it saves your pride?” Simon runs a hand through his hair and his body shakes with anger, and Alec’s shoulders slump as he considers Simon’s words. “Fuck’s sake, Rook, when you tried and failed to takehimout and she offered her life for yours—weallknow what a life debt can do to someone. You’re her friend. What would she be willing to do if she actually fell in love with you? Orlaith would be dead within a month, and we all know this.”
Friend.They don’t know about us; Nora didn’t tell them. I open my mouth to speak, but the simple movement brings debilitating pain.Tell them, I beg Alec in my mind.
“You don’t think I would give my life for hers?” Alec hisses.
“Would you? Do it now. If you love her like Nora thinks you do, submit. I would have already done it to save her. What’s your excuse?”
Shame crosses Alec’s face, deep and scarring, and his silver eyes look at mine with such sorrow, my heart shatters.
“Orlaith,” he whispers. His silver eyes say it all.I love you. I’ll fight for you. Always.“I submit.”
The air leaves my chest as my brace glows softly. Tears stream down my face. I want to stop this, Ineedto stop it.
Fight for me.
I watch as the Grey Sister cruelly takes what is ours. The memories of us together, every wonderful moment is stripped away. His eyes go blank, and after a few minutes, the Grey Sisterproduces gold and black stones. They are placed into a velvet box and given to Vetter.
Alec tumbles over, and Finn lifts his torso, dragging him out.
“I’m sorry, O. This has to be done.” Simon nods to Vetter, and tears fall down my face as anger burns within me. There’s a tingling in the back of my mind, pulling. I fight it, rage coursing through me, my brace growing brighter and power bubbling under my skin.
Vetter leans down and whispers in my ear, “I would never harm you like they believe. I’m not your nightmare. I’m truly trying to save you.” Little sparks begin to spring off my skin, and he straightens. “Stunning.” He reaches forward and touches one. It singes his skin, and he smiles sadly. “Powerful little light bringer.”
Vetter flicks his wrist.
I’m pulled under.
“Hold on to her.” My eyes fly open and I’m laying down in a strange bed. My brace is glowing, and Simon is hovering above me, pinning my shoulders down as I try to swing my fist out. Nora is taking off my brace.
Why is she doing that?
